UNSC adopts resolution to facilitate humanitarian aid in Afghanistan

By Betul Yuruk

UNITED NATIONS (AA) - The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Wednesday that exempts sanctions against the Taliban to ease humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.

The resolution introduced by the US was unanimously approved by the 15-member council.

According to the resolution, humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs in Afghanistan, processing and payments of funds that will not violate sanctions against the Taliban and use of financial assets and economic resources will be permitted.

US Ambassador to UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield welcomed the adoption of the resolution, saying it "puts in place an exemption to @UN sanctions in Afghanistan for humanitarian aid and activities supporting basic human needs."

"I applaud the #UNSC for unanimously voting for this carveout, which is desperately needed by the humanitarian community in Afghanistan," she wrote on Twitter.

Barbara Woodward, the UK's envoy to the UN, said the resolution "will help save lives by ensuring that 1988 sanctions regime poses no obstacle to provision of humanitarian assistance."

According to the UN, 24 million people require life-saving assistance in Afghanistan whose economic collapse "is happening before our eyes."

*Servet Gunerigok in Washington contributed to the story